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Child’s Birthmark Airbrushed Out of School Photo

Two-year-old Omnee Allan's nursery school photos turned out so well her parents ordered prints from the untouched proofs. However, when the photos arrived, Omnee’s parents saw her facial birthmark, what appears to be the port wine stain variety, had been airbrushed out.

Two-year-old Omnee Allan's nursery school photos turned out so well her parents ordered prints from the untouched proofs. However, when the photos arrived, Omnee’s parents saw her facial birthmark, what appears to be the port wine stain variety, had been airbrushed out. When Omnee’s parents complained, the photographer, Luke Joyce, of Little Stars Photography in Devon, Englad, claimed it was an unintentional mix-up with a request from another parent. However, other parents complained their children’s eye color had been changed. "There are enough worries about the prejudices she may endure later in life without having to worry about adult male photographers, especially when she’s just two years old,” says Nikki Allan, Omnee’s mom.Plus: Tips for Photographing Kids

My daughter Chloe was born with a silver dollar-sized, raised hemangioma “strawberry” on her head, right at her hairline. Although I cringed at strangers’ reactions, and grew tired of explaining it, it also became part of who she was. It was actually kind of sweet. In the end, though, we elected to have it removed before she started school, because I didn’t want the world making her feel there was something wrong with the way she looked. I still feel a little funny about the decision, but I was very happy with the results. But I would have gone ballistic over a photographer automatically assuming the birthmark was something to hide. Aren’t kids’ little imperfections part of their essence, which is what the pros try to capture in a photo? Today is school photo day, and Chloe’s jack-o-lantern smile (she lost a front tooth last week) will be captured in all its glory.Plus: Photo Secrets from a Professional Baby Wrangler

Do you ever touch up your kids’ photos? Would you be offended if someone did it for you?